History

The White family purchased 250 acres at Mt Jagged, with the intention of planting a vineyard, because of the natural beauty and the natural basin area for water supply. The land is located on the main road to Victor Harbor.

The great climatic advantage of the area lies in its strong maritime influences, which results in greater humidity and moderate temperature fluctuations, unlike areas further east and inland.

The area produces classical cool climate styles, which one would expect from 200+ metres and higher. Because of the cool climate and good annual rainfall, the vineyard is able to be managed for the sole focus of producing the best quality fruit possible, while employing the best practice of low cropping and canopy managements in order to achieve the optimum ripening of the fruit.

In 1989, 50 acres were planted, with red varieties of Merlot, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon and white varieties of Chardonnay and Semillon.

The rows are planted in an East to West direction, rather than the normal North to South, due to prevailing West South West winds. This planting arrangement causes the least amount of damage in the vineyard from the winds, and also acts as a drying agent after rainfalls, which helps to prevent disease.

This fact allows the vineyard to use a minimum amount of sprays, thereby encouraging the natural predators to assist in keeping down insects and disease.